Navy Blues to face Shandong Luneng Taishan

Words: ACFC Media

Saturday 19 January 2019

Picture: Phototek

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC will face Chinese powerhouse Shandong Luneng in the semi-finals of the Tonghai Financial Chinese New Year Cup on February 5.

Founded in 1956, Shandong Luneng Taishan FC, turned professional 25 years ago and finished third in the cash-rich Chinese Super League last season.

Coached by Li Xiaopeng, a former international for China, the club has won four Chinese domestic titles and finished runners-up twice.
Alongside those championships are another five Chinese FA Cup victories.

Shandong Luneng Taishan FC begin their Chinese Super League campaign kicks off on 1 March, 2019.

In the other playoff, Hong Kong League Xi take on J.League side Sagan Tosu.

Former Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid striker, Fernando Torres, is set to take part in the competition for Sagan Tosu.

“We are 99.99 percent sure Torres will be coming with his team to Hong Kong barring unforeseeable reasons,” said Steven Lo Kit-sing of RedMr Sports, joint-organiser of the tournament alongside the Hong Kong Football Association.

“He is on the player list and we are processing a work permit for him to play here. Of course, we have also made a special request for his presence.

"His club Sagan Tosu are sending a delegation of 150 people here including players, officials, VIPs and media representatives.

"They will take a Hong Kong tour as part of their promotional programme and there is no way they are not sending their most high-profile player.”

Ends

Tonghai Financial Chinese New Year Cup 2019
February 7-9, 2019

February 5, 2019
Auckland City FC v Shandong Luneng

Hong Kong League XI v Sagan Tosu

February 7, 2019

Third Place Playoff

Final

Past winners
2018 Hong Kong League XI

Nike Lunar New Year Cup
2017 Auckland City FC (New Zealand)

Lunar New Year Cup
2016 Hong Kong League XI
2015 New York Cosmos (USA)

AET Cup
2014 Citizen & Cuenca United (Hong Kong/Colombia)

China Mobile Satellite Cup
2013 Busan IPark (Korea Republic)

Nikon Asian Challenge Cup
2012 Seongnam Iihwa Chunma (Korea Republic)

RedMR Asian Challenge Cup
2011 Tianjin Teda (China)

Fortis Insurance Company Tiger Lunar New Year Cup
2010 Pohang Steelers (Korea Republic)

Lunar New Year Cup
2009 South China & Pegasus United (Hong Kong)

Wing Lung Bank Cup
2008 Hong Kong League XI

Lunar New Year Cup
2007 Jamaica

Carlsberg Cup
2006 Denmark
2005 Brazil
2004 Norway
2003 Uruguay
2002 Honduras
2001 Norway
2000 Czech Republic
1999 Mexico
1998 Nigeria
1997 Russia
1996 Sweden
1995 Yugoslavia
1994 Denmark
1993 Switzerland

Marlboro Cup
1992 Hong Kong League XI
1991 Hong Kong League XI
1990 Sparta Prague (Czechoslovakia)

Carlsberg Cup
1989 Malmo FF (Sweden)
1988 Hong Kong League XI
1987 Brondby IF (Denmark)
1986 Paraguay
1985 Hong Kong League British XI

Adidas Gold Cup
1984 FK Partizan (Yugoslavia)

Coupe du Solvil et Titus
1983 Hong Kong League XI

Lunar New Year Cup
1982 FK Austria Wien (Austria)
1979 Guangdong (China)
1978 China
1977 Sparta Rotterdam (Netherlands)
1974 Hong Kong

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